Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Followed by Mediastinal Lymphoma, Both Treated with Chemotherapy in a Cat

Abstract

We report here a FeLV-positive cat with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) treated by chemotherapy, by which its hypocytosis was alleviated. Mediastinal lymphoma, found 100 days later, was also successfully controlled by chemotherapy. The five-year-old, 5.6 kg, spayed mixed bleed was brought in a weakened condition. Blood tests showed positive reaction for feline leukemia virus (FeLV), anemia, and thrombocytopenia. On blood smears, blast cells were observed. The examinations of bone marrow showed the presence of morphologically abnormal cells in two hematinic systems, and increasing ratio of blasts. From these findings, the disease was diagnosed as MDS, and chemotherapy was initiated with two alkylating agents, busulfan and cyclophsphamide (CY). This therapy was effective in alleviating the thrombocytopenia and in keeping the cat in good general condition for about 100 days. On day 123, however, Iymphoma was found at the anterior mediastinum and treated with combination chemotherapy using. CY, vincristine (O), and prednisolone (P) (COP therapy). As a result, the cat has been in good heath up to now, day 195.